RT and Zara

[ColinB]

This is part of a posting that came up on my FB feed this morning despite the fact that I don't follow Zara on FB. There have been plenty of supportive comments so hopefully this is just a small number of people who for whatever reason don't like Zara or don't like her performing with Richard.

Puts me in mind of the comments made back in the day about Linda McCartney when Paul included her in Wings.

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

Interesting piece there.

[Dan O.]

Ok, I've now seen Zara with RT a number of times and I'm going to don my flak jacket, emphasising that I have no desire to fall out with anyone over this.

I have nothing whatsoever personal against her, she's a beautiful and charming woman who makes RT very happy, he's happy to have her on stage with him, she's a talent in her own right as an author, playwright and singer.

But...despite her not wishing to be compared to other singers, when put up against Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Christine Collister, Judith Owen, Chris While, Vikki Clayton and other truly great female voices who have sung with RT, she's very, how shall I put this, "ordinary, nothing special".
 
Her harmony vocals aren't up to the same standard as those mentioned. I am a musician who sings occasional harmony vocals, so I'm qualified to have an opinion on one of my favourite artists.

If RT had an inferior drummer or bassist on stage with him (he wouldn't, obviously), then I'd also be making comment that they weren't as good as so and so. As it is, I felt the last couple of electric RT gigs I saw had a massive Pete Zorn-sized hole due to said wonderful multi-instrumentalist's sad loss 10 years ago.

And does she really deserve equal billing with him on concert promotion - i.e. "Richard Thompson + Zara Phillips" on promo materials as if people are coming to see her equally ?

Again, I'm going to state that this is just an opinion, other opinions are available. Looking forward to the next time I see RT play.

[davidmjs]

Ok, I've now seen Zara with RT a number of times and I'm going to don my flak jacket, emphasising that I have no desire to fall out with anyone over this.

I have nothing whatsoever personal against her, she's a beautiful and charming woman who makes RT very happy, he's happy to have her on stage with him, she's a talent in her own right as an author, playwright and singer.

But...despite her not wishing to be compared to other singers, when put up against Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Christine Collister, Judith Owen, Chris While, Vikki Clayton and other truly great female voices who have sung with RT, she's very, how shall I put this, "ordinary, nothing special".
 
Her harmony vocals aren't up to the same standard as those mentioned. I am a musician who sings occasional harmony vocals, so I'm qualified to have an opinion on one of my favourite artists.

If RT had an inferior drummer or bassist on stage with him (he wouldn't, obviously), then I'd also be making comment that they weren't as good as so and so. As it is, I felt the last couple of electric RT gigs I saw had a massive Pete Zorn-sized hole due to said wonderful multi-instrumentalist's sad loss 10 years ago.

And does she really deserve equal billing with him on concert promotion - i.e. "Richard Thompson + Zara Phillips" on promo materials as if people are coming to see her equally ?

Again, I'm going to state that this is just an opinion, other opinions are available. Looking forward to the next time I see RT play.

Interesting!  I've got to be say I've not really been paying attention.  Is she on record with him, or is it all just live stuff?

[ColinB]

Interesting!  I've got to be say I've not really been paying attention.  Is she on record with him, or is it all just live stuff?

So far I think she's joined him onstage for part of his solo sets. That's what we got at the Warwick Fest last year. But from her FB post I think she's contributing backing vocals on RT's next studio album which is due out later in the year.

I have to say I agree with Dan in that she's a good enough singer but after two or three numbers at Warwick I had hoped she'd leave the stage and let himself do the rest of the set on his own. I'd be interested to give her solo stuff a listen. She posted some photos of when she supported Dave Mason a few years ago saying he was incredibly kind to her.

The one singer I'd really like to hear with RT is his daughter Kami. I don't know if the Thompson family are planning any more gigs.

[Dan O.]

Ok, I've now seen Zara with RT a number of times and I'm going to don my flak jacket, emphasising that I have no desire to fall out with anyone over this.

I have nothing whatsoever personal against her, she's a beautiful and charming woman who makes RT very happy, he's happy to have her on stage with him, she's a talent in her own right as an author, playwright and singer.

But...despite her not wishing to be compared to other singers, when put up against Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Christine Collister, Judith Owen, Chris While, Vikki Clayton and other truly great female voices who have sung with RT, she's very, how shall I put this, "ordinary, nothing special".
 
Her harmony vocals aren't up to the same standard as those mentioned. I am a musician who sings occasional harmony vocals, so I'm qualified to have an opinion on one of my favourite artists.

If RT had an inferior drummer or bassist on stage with him (he wouldn't, obviously), then I'd also be making comment that they weren't as good as so and so. As it is, I felt the last couple of electric RT gigs I saw had a massive Pete Zorn-sized hole due to said wonderful multi-instrumentalist's sad loss 10 years ago.

And does she really deserve equal billing with him on concert promotion - i.e. "Richard Thompson + Zara Phillips" on promo materials as if people are coming to see her equally ?

Again, I'm going to state that this is just an opinion, other opinions are available. Looking forward to the next time I see RT play.

Interesting!  I've got to be say I've not really been paying attention.  Is she on record with him, or is it all just live stuff?

Zara sings backup on RT's last album Ship To Shore.

[davidmjs]

I don't know if the Thompson family are planning any more gigs.

I very much doubt it...think we'd know if they were, wouldn't we?

[ColinB]

I don't know if the Thompson family are planning any more gigs.

I very much doubt it...think we'd know if they were, wouldn't we?

Wishful thinking on my part then. I'll just have to keep a look out for The Rails doing a tour though James' main gig at the moment seems to be playing guitar for Chrissie Hynde in The Pretenders.

[Delfini (Diane)]

She sang with Richard on the Royal Clipper this year and there were quite a lot of spiteful, hurtful comments from some of the ‘die-hard’ fans. They were out of order. Richard can do what he wants, I think. Audience interpretation is subjective (with any act). If he thinks she’s good enough, so be it. She seems to be a nice person from the little contact that I had, and she sounded good to my ears.
But, hey, what do I know?

[hendo (Dave)]

Interesting!  I've got to be say I've not really been paying attention.  Is she on record with him, or is it all just live stuff?

So far I think she's joined him onstage for part of his solo sets. That's what we got at the Warwick Fest last year. But from her FB post I think she's contributing backing vocals on RT's next studio album which is due out later in the year.

I have to say I agree with Dan in that she's a good enough singer but after two or three numbers at Warwick I had hoped she'd leave the stage and let himself do the rest of the set on his own. I'd be interested to give her solo stuff a listen. She posted some photos of when she supported Dave Mason a few years ago saying he was incredibly kind to her.

The one singer I'd really like to hear with RT is his daughter Kami. I don't know if the Thompson family are planning any more gigs.

I saw them at Warwick too. I agree with Dan in that I don’t want to be mean but for me she adds little and in fact detracts from some of the songs .She takes tge edge off some of the songs and it becomes a bit twee.
I first saw her with RT at Cambridge folk fest when she did a couple of songs , very much as an addendum ar side of stage.
They obviously travel together so presumably decided to play together .

[Will S]

By chance, I rediscovered on my computer today the RT Live from London album, made up of recordings from livestream events in 2020, with RT on guitar and vocals, and Zara on harmony vocals.  She doesn't match up to some of the other female singers he has used - Linda and Christine Collister particularly. But then they are both exceptional singers.  And given that she travels with RT, it is understandable that she should sing back up with him live.

[John From Austin]

She sang with Richard on the Royal Clipper this year and there were quite a lot of spiteful, hurtful comments from some of the ‘die-hard’ fans. They were out of order. Richard can do what he wants, I think. Audience interpretation is subjective (with any act). If he thinks she’s good enough, so be it. She seems to be a nice person from the little contact that I had, and she sounded good to my ears.
But, hey, what do I know?

This sums up our experience on the Royal Clipper, and our opinion on the subject, perfectly! We also found her to be personally charming, to boot.

[Delfini (Diane)]

She sang with Richard on the Royal Clipper this year and there were quite a lot of spiteful, hurtful comments from some of the ‘die-hard’ fans. They were out of order. Richard can do what he wants, I think. Audience interpretation is subjective (with any act). If he thinks she’s good enough, so be it. She seems to be a nice person from the little contact that I had, and she sounded good to my ears.
But, hey, what do I know?

This sums up our experience on the Royal Clipper, and our opinion on the subject, perfectly! We also found her to be personally charming, to boot.

Pity that we didn’t meet up John. Wasn’t it a magical ship?

[John From Austin]

She sang with Richard on the Royal Clipper this year and there were quite a lot of spiteful, hurtful comments from some of the ‘die-hard’ fans. They were out of order. Richard can do what he wants, I think. Audience interpretation is subjective (with any act). If he thinks she’s good enough, so be it. She seems to be a nice person from the little contact that I had, and she sounded good to my ears.
But, hey, what do I know?

This sums up our experience on the Royal Clipper, and our opinion on the subject, perfectly! We also found her to be personally charming, to boot.

Pity that we didn’t meet up John. Wasn’t it a magical ship?

I’m also sorry we didn’t cross paths. It was a fantastic experience for us as well. It was a rare opportunity for a Yank to enjoy Fairport!

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

Only issue we had was straight after lockdown, we went to what was billed as a solo gig and approx 50% was not solo, but a lady we didn’t recognise was accompanying. When we found out she was his spouse, it made more sense…Why shouldn’t they spend as much time together as possible if it makes them happy.

RT solo is very different from RT performing with anyone else at all, so it is good that the billing is clear then the unpleasant folk who are trolling can take their choice and the rest of us can enjoy it as a different experience. There is never an excuse for that awful behaviour and it is hardly likely to change their minds!